Merritt Centennials forward Dustin Johnson scored four goals — including the game winner at the 14:59 mark of the third period — to send his Merritt Centennials to an 8-5 home ice win over the Trail Smoke Eaters on Saturday night.
Johnson's first capped a four-goal opening period that saw the teams trade pairs of goals. Trail's Scott Jacklin opened the scoring 3:25 into regulation before Merritt's Matt Mazzarolo evened the game four minutes later. Darnell Dyck and Johnson swapped markers to close out the period.
The Centennials took command of the game with a three-goal second period, as Johnson's pair and a Derek Hills tally helped cancel out a Nick Sandor effort to give their team a two-goal lead after 40 minutes. Trail tied the game on markers by Sam Mellor and Ben Matthews to open a wild third period, but Merritt was once again up to the task. Johnson, with his fourth, notched the game winner before Jeff Jones and Mazzarolo added insurance late in the frame.
Johnson, Jeff Jones and Andrew Pickering eahc finished the game with four points, while Derek Hills enjoyed a three-point outing. Sandor led the way for Trail with a goal and two assists.
Both netminders had no shortage of work, with Cents starter Keith Hamilton picking up the win with a 27-save performance. Trail's Kiefer Smiley allowed eight goals on 45 shots in a losing cause.
Merritt is next is action on Tueday when they travel to Salmon Arm, while the Smoke Eaters are idle until Friday when they begin a three-game Northern road swing at Williams Lake.
